Peri-arterial blood flow booster

ABSTRACT

A peri-arterial blood flow booster apparatus for improving blood pressure and flow, to be implanted around a blood vessel of a patient. The booster comprises a pressure applying device ( 56 ) comprising at least one balloon ( 44 ), placed alongside a portion of the blood vessel and a restrainer ( 54 ) for restraining the balloon and providing counter-forces. It further comprises a control console ( 60 ) comprising: an inflating unit ( 66 ) for rapidly inflating and deflating the balloon, the inflating unit connected to the balloon; sensing means ( 68 ) for sensing electrocardiograph signals of the patient; a control unit ( 72 ) for controlling the operation of the inflating unit correlating to the electrocardiograph signals detected by the sensing means. When the balloon is inflated the restrainer forces it to compress the portion of the blood vessel preventing backflow and exerting forces on the blood vessel forcing blood within the portion of the blood vessel to flow antegradely.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for improving blood flow. Moreparticularly it relates to a peri-arterial booster for improving bloodflow in a blood vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many in western societies suffer from vascular diseases, some of whichare diseases of peripheral blood vessels (excluding the heart andbrain). An example of such diseases is peripheral occlusive arterialdisease (PAOD). In the aforementioned diseases, blood vessels becomenarrowed or clogged. Most common cause for PAOD is atherosclerosis.Atherosclerosis is a gradual process in which a fibrous, calcified,fatty, or scar tissue builds up, forming plaque that obstructs bloodflow to the body periphery. Plaque deposits build up along artery wallsand affect blood circulation. When blood flow is severely restricted,intermittent claudication (painful cramping in the leg or hip,particularly when walking), rest pain, ulceration and in extreme casestissue gangrene ensues which may require, in severe cases, amputation ofthe affected limb. It is a major cause of life and limb loss, especiallyin aging population. Several treatment options are currently available,including medical treatment, angioplasty, atherectomy and peripheralbypasses of occluded arterial segments. Currently, no effective drugtherapy for opening occluded vessels is available. The success rate ofthe above-mentioned therapeutic methods is moderate. Furthermore, manypatients are not fit for such operations, either on medical grounds ordue to anatomical limitations. Also, many cases are not amenable tosurgical reconstruction and may end up in gangrene and amputation.Amputation rate in western societies is estimated at about 300 cases permillion of population, annually, causing severe suffering and physicaldisability for patients, as well as imposing heavy financial burdens. Toavoid amputation many patients need complex and potentially dangerousoperations, between 300-400 vascular reconstructions being performedupon the peripheral arterial tree, per million of population, annually.The present invention provides an alternative treatment to theconventional treatments whereby blood flow is peripherally assistedthrough the area of impedance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,573 (Habib), titledBLOOD FLOW, filed in 1990, discloses a method for improving the bloodflow peripherally, through the use of a pump placed in or around a bloodvessel supplying blood to a region of increased impedance, and acting topump blood in the required direction. The pump comprises a housingannularly surrounding a blood vessel, said housing containing aplurality of flexible inflatable containers mounted around the bloodvessel and means for effecting sequential inflation and deflation ofsaid containers so as to create a peristaltic pumping effect. A problemarises with the described pump, as it is considerably complicated forassembling, controlling and implanting.

US 20030233023 (Khaghani et al.) discloses a blood circulationassistance device, for location around a blood conduit. The devicecomprises: an inflatable bladder moveable between a contracted form andan expanded form, for compressing the blood conduit to providecounterpulsation. Pump means in fluid communication with the bladdermove the bladder from the contracted form to the expanded form. The pumpmeans comprises a centrifugal impeller rotatable about an axis to effectpumping. The impeller is moveable axially between first and secondpositions to effect a reversal of the direction of pumping. Controlmeans, in communication with the pump means, is capable of monitoringthe cardiac cycle of an individual and triggering the pump means to movethe bladder to the expanded form at diastole. An outer cuff, surroundsat least a portion of the bladder, providing an outer limiting extent tothe movement of the bladder.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a blood flowbooster, which is compact, made up of relatively fewer parts, and fairlysimple to implant, if implantation is sought.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a blood flowbooster, which is extra-arterial.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a blood flowbooster, which is non-occluding.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a blood flowbooster, which is ECG sensitive.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a blood flowbooster, which is electromechanical.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a blood flowbooster, which is also tissue compatible that does not interfere withnormal antegrade (i.e. in the correct direction) blood flow.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a blood flowbooster having relatively simple structure.

More objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, a periarterial blood flow booster apparatus forimproving blood pressure and flow, to be implanted around a blood vesselof a patient, the booster comprising:

a pressure applying device comprising at least one balloon, placedalongside a portion of the blood vessel and a restrainer for restrainingthe balloon and providing counter-forces;

a control console comprising:

an inflating unit for rapidly inflating and deflating the balloon, theinflating unit connected to the balloon;

sensing means for sensing electrocardiograph signals of the patient;

a control unit for controlling the operation of the inflating unitcorrelating to the electrocardiograph signals detected by the sensingmeans;

whereby when the balloon is inflated the restrainer forces it tocompress the portion of the blood vessel preventing backflow andexerting forces on the blood vessel forcing blood within the portion ofthe blood vessel to flow antegradely.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, the restrainer is in the form of a sleeve.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, the sleeve is provided with internal protrusionagainst which the balloon is pressed when inflated, preventing bloodbackflow effectively acting as a non-return valve.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, the protrusion is in the form of an annularprotrusion.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, a sheath covering the balloon, placed between theblood vessel and the balloon will secure the balloon in place andprovide an efficient facilitator for balloon replacement.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, the balloon consists of at least two inflatablecompartments.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, said at least two inflatable compartments areindependently inflatable.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, the sensing means is further provided for sensingblood pressure.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, the control console is implantable within thepatient's body.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, the control console is small enough to be carried bythe patient.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, the control console is adapted to be attached to abelt to be worn by the patient.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, there is provided a method for improving blood flowand pressure through an occluded blood vessel, said method comprisingthe steps of:

providing a pressure applying device comprising at least one balloon,placed alongside a portion of the blood vessel and a restrainer forrestraining the balloon and providing counter-forces;

providing a control console comprising:

an inflating unit for rapidly inflating and deflating the balloon, theinflating unit connected to the balloon;

sensing means for sensing electrocardiograph signals of the patient;

a control unit for controlling the operation of the inflating unitcorrelating to the electrocardiograph signals detected by the sensingmeans;

sensing ECG signals of the patient; and

inflating and deflating said at least one balloon in a predeterminedrate, correlating to the ECG signals, so as to prevent backflow andcompress the portion of the blood vessel in order to force blood withinthat portion to advance antegradely.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, the blood vessel is an artery.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, the artery is an Iliac artery.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, patient's both Iliac arteries are treated.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, for patients with Heart Failure, the artery is theDescending Aorta.

Furthermore, in accordance with some preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, a sheath is provided, placed between the blood vesseland the balloon to separate the balloon from the blood vessel and allowsafe and fast way of exchanging the balloon when so desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the present invention, and appreciate itspractical applications, the following Figures are provided andreferenced hereafter. It should be noted that the Figures are given asexamples only and in no way limit the scope of the invention. Likecomponents are denoted by like reference numerals.

FIG. 1 illustrates a general view of a blood flow booster in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 a illustrates a cross-sectional view of a blood flow booster inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention mountedaround a blood vessel, in a deflated stage.

FIG. 2 b illustrates a cross-sectional view of a blood flow booster inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention mountedaround a blood vessel, in a semi-inflated stage.

FIG. 2 c illustrates a cross-sectional view of a blood flow booster inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention mountedaround a blood vessel, in a fully-inflated stage.

FIG. 3 illustrates a general view of a blood flow booster, in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention, implanted in apatient around an artery, connected to a control console, placed extracorporeal, on a belt about the waist of the patient.

FIG. 4 illustrates general view of a blood flow booster in accordancewith another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 a shows a typical electrocardiogram of a single heartbeat.

FIG. 5 b illustrates the pressure front propagation with respect to theheartbeat shown in FIG. 5 a. The boosted pressure front is shown in theform of a dashed-line.

FIG. 6 illustrates a blood flow booster in accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An aspect of the present invention is the provision of an implantableblood flow booster generally comprising the following parts: aninflatable balloon, encircled by a restrainer envelope and a controlconsole connected to and operating the balloon via a pipe in apredetermined manner. The blood flow booster is placed around a bloodvessel, e.g. a proximal artery. The inflatable balloon and therestrainer are adapted, upon inflation of the balloon, to provide aboosting effect, increasing the blood flow, and at the same timeavoiding backflow of the blood in the blood vessel. The console commandsand controls inflation and deflation of the balloon.

An aspect of the present invention is the provision of a device andmethod for improving blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel byusing a blood flow booster coupled to the blood vessel.

The invention will be described further with reference to a treatment ofan artery to overcome an obstruction in this artery however it is tounderstand that the invention is generally applicable to any kind ofvasculature.

According to a main aspect of the present invention, there is thusprovided a method for improving peripheral blood flow. A pressureapplying device, which may be in the form of an inflatable balloon, isused in the present invention to exert pressure onto the artery in amanner which favors forcing the blood to flow downstream (the pressureapplying device will be referred to as an inflatable balloonhereinafter, but it is understood and asserted that any other types ofpressure applying devices may alternatively be used).

When a single inflatable balloon is used, upon inflation, the balloonoccupies the available space within the restrainer and then begins toapply pressure on the blood vessel compressing it against therestrainer. The pressure is applied across a portion of the artery in agradual manner due to certain adaptation of the restrainer, or apredetermined structural design of the pressure applying device, firstblocking an end of that portion (of the artery) upstream and thenapplying pressure to force blood contained within the portion of theartery to advance downstream, thereby causing the blood to flow in thecorrect direction. The balloon may be fully or partially inflated (itmay be wise to partially deflate the balloon in order to eliminate orminimize potential damage to the blood vessel).

In an embodiment with a balloon having two or more inflatablecompartments, which may be fluidly connected to one another or operatedseparately, upon inflation, the compartment upstream, inflates firstcausing the collapse of the artery at that position, and the downstreamcompartment inflates immediately afterwards, compressing against thecoupled blood vessel and boosting the blood flow downstream, thuseffectively acting as a one way valve.

Habib described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,573 a device that uses aplurality of inflatable balloons placed transversely alongside a vein,and inflated sequentially, in order to achieve an increase in forincreasing blood flow. However, Habib's device is complicated while thedevice according to present invention uses a balloon with a restrainereffectively acting as a non-return valve, placed longitudinallyalongside and parallel to an artery and squeezing the artery in apredetermined manner. The device is based on the principle of boostingblood flow by increasing pressure, whereas the device described by Habibincreases flow only, much like a peristaltic pump. As to Khagani,Khaghani et al. suggest a cardiac assistance device for treatment ofacute and end-stage heart failure, while the present invention suggestsa booster for blood circulation aimed at assisting blood flow throughoccluded peripheral blood vessels.

Furthermore, the present invention suggests a design which is aimed atproducing force that directs the blood in the right direction, butproviding means for ensuring the blocking of backflow, and thus forcingthe blood to flow in the right direction. This is achieved by at leasttwo alternative preferred embodiments: The first embodiment involves aballoon with two (or more) inflatable compartments, where a firstcompartment up stream inflates before the second compartment does, thusfirst blocking backflow passage, and when the second compartmentinflates, blood is forced to move downstream. The second embodimentinvolves a single balloon that is inflated in a desired direction sothat at first the portion that is up stream inflates (blocking backflow)and only then the rest of the balloon inflates.

Reference is now made to the FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawingsillustrating a blood flow booster in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

A blood flow booster 56 comprises a single inflatable balloon 44, whichmay be replaceable, placed alongside an artery 40, and a restrainerenvelope 54 mounted as a sleeve around the inflatable balloon 44 and theartery segment. The restrainer envelope 54 optionally has a zipper 42(see FIG. 4), or any other closing means, lengthwise, so as to allow thepositioning of the sleeve around the artery, so that implantation doesnot require invasive arterial operation. The restrainer envelope 54 canbe made of a synthetic graft material (like PTFE or Polyester), theinterior surface and the exterior surface of the restrainer envelope canbe made of two different materials, one for the interior surface and asecond material for the exterior surface, for example as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,372,573 (Habib), titled BLOOD FLOW, filed in 1990,incorporated herein by reference. The interior surface, which is held incontact with the external wall of the artery, is membranous so the wallof the artery will not be damaged, while the exterior surface is berigid, or at least tougher than the artery, thus the artery will beforced to collapse against the restrainer. The proximal portion of therestrainer envelope consists of a structural design such as an innerannular protrusion, protruding inwardly (in FIG. 1, the annularprotrusion is represented by reference no. 50 a and 50 b, referring toopposing sections of the annular protrusion). An optional radio-opaquemarker may be provided on the distal and/or proximal rim of the sleeveto facilitate exact positioning of the balloon (which may also beprovided with a radio-opaque marker). The deployment of the balloon canbe made using fluoroscopic guidance. The dimensions of thepressure-applying device (the sleeve and the balloon within) may bevariable, according to specific patient anatomy (i.e. artery diameterand length of the treated segment) or other needs.

Upon inflation of inflatable balloon 44, the annular protrusion, whenthe balloon is inflated, serves as a non-return valve preventingbackflow. It is understood and asserted that any other types of pressurebarriers may alternatively be used. The inflatable balloon 44 is fluidlyconnected to a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure generator by a pipe 46.The pipe portion that is surrounded by the inflatable balloon consistsof several vents 45 through which the balloon is inflated or deflated.The pipe is preferably metallic coated.

The balloon is operated via a pipe 46 by a control console 60 that maybe also implanted inside the patient's body or be placed externally tohis body (see for example FIG. 3). The control console 60 comprises acontrol unit 72 for activating and operating the balloon (inflating anddeflating it), by means of an inflating system (for example a two-waypump 66 in a synchronized manner (see detailed explanation hereinafter).

In accordance with FIG. 1, upon inflation of the inflatable balloon 44,the inflatable balloon 44 compresses upon the annular protrusion 50 b,thus, the inflatable balloon, compressing upon the artery, causing theartery to press upon the annular protrusion 50 a, resulting inobstruction of the artery in such a way that it blocks the upstreamportion of the artery, thus preventing upstream flow of blood. Than, theinflatable balloon, as it keeps expanding, gradually compresses theartery 40, first blocking the upstream portion of the artery due to thepresence of the annular protrusion 50 and then providing directionalforces in the downstream direction (antegrade), thereby, upon inflationof the inflatable balloon 44, boosting of the blood downstream isachieved while preventing backflow of the blood.

FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c illustrate the modes of operation of the bloodflow booster shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 a illustrates blood flow booster atrest, i.e., the inflatable balloon is deflated. FIG. 2 b illustratesstate of the blood flow booster balloon 44 and the artery 40 uponsemi-inflation of the inflatable balloon 44 (phase 1). Upon inflation,the inflatable balloon 44 compresses against the annular protrusion 50 band the artery, causing the artery to collapse at the contact positionwith the annular protrusion 50 a, which results in the obstruction ofthe artery in such a way that it blocks the upstream portion of theartery, preventing upstream flow of blood. FIG. 2 c illustrates phase 2of the blood flow booster balloon, i.e., when the inflatable balloon isfully inflated. As the inflatable balloon 92 keeps expanding, itcompresses the artery 40, forcing a portion of the artery to collapseunder the pressure applied, and consequently forcing the volume of bloodwithin that portion of the artery to advance downstream, thus boostingthe blood flow in the downstream direction. The pressure applying devicetypically is to be positioned upstream with respect to the occludedportion 41 of the artery.

The blood flow booster is controlled and operated by a control console60 via a pipe 46. The console may be in the form of an implant placedunder the skin close to the place where the blood flow boosterpressure-applying device is to be positioned, or in the form of aconsole housed extracorporeally. FIG. 3 shows a general view of a bloodflow booster pressure applying device 56, implanted around an artery 40(however, it can be implanted around any blood vessel), connected to acontrol console 60, placed extracorporeal, on a belt 80 about the waistof a patient. The control console is connected to a pipe 46, whichprotrudes from the patient's skin at an exit sit 82, and connected to acorresponding pipe exiting from the console by means of a connector 82.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the control console 60 preferably houses atwo-way hydraulic or pneumatic pump 66, a gas (or liquid) reservoir 64for supplying gas (or liquid) for inflating the balloon, a control unit72, sensor 68 for sensing ECG (electrocardiograph) signals correspondingto the cardiac activity of the patient (and or pressure sensor forsensing the blood pressure within the artery for safety reasons, inorder to control and limit the maximal pressure buildup within theartery caused by the operation of the blood flow booster), optionalfrequency selector 74 (for manually setting rate) and an on/off switch62 for activating or deactivating the system. It is noted that similarconsoles are currently in use for cardiovascular support of failinghearts (for example consider the intra aortic balloon pump—IABP—consolesmarketed by Arrow International Inc., Reading Pa., under the brand namesArrow Transact™ and ACAT®1 PLUS, or Datascope Inc. NY, USA, model brandname System 98TX). Note that IABPs are used intra-aortically to reverseblood flow in order to enhance blood flow to the coronary arteries asopposed to the present invention which deals with boosting of blood flowantegradely.

The frequency selector 74 is optionally provided in order to allow thephysician to set a rate related either to the patient's heart rate or toa different pre-selected rate.

The console controls the inflation and deflation of the balloon systemin a predetermined rate, volume and pressure. ECG signals of the patientare monitored (via sensor 68) and inflation timing is synchronized tooccur at the diastolic phase of blood flow, if the rate is to relate ina 1:1 relation to the patient's heart rate, or in any other selectedrate (set by the physician using the frequency selector 74). ECG signalsof the patient are optionally conducted to the console over the pipe,which may be made to conduct electric signals. The control unit 72,processes the input from the sensor, and accordingly activates the bloodflow pressure-applying device 56. FIG. 5 illustrates anelectrocardiogram output (FIG. 5 a), and a simultaneous arterialpressure output (FIG. 5 b) with a boosted pressure wave, represented bythe dashed line. FIG. 5 b illustrates a normal arterial pressure 110 inaccordance to the electrocardiogram. Arterial pressure reading 112indicates the increase in the arterial pressure due to boosting by theblood flow booster of the present invention.

An arterial blood pressure sensor may be incorporated within therestrainer envelope at the upstream end and link to the console. Otherpressure sensor may be placed within the treated artery furtherdownstream with respect to the occluded portion.

In a blood flow booster having an arterial pressure detector, when theconsole detects that the arterial blood pressure is not synchronizedwith the ECG, the console activates the pneumatic pressure generator(although any pressure generator is applicable) and thus the pneumaticfluid will inflate the balloon. This will cause boosting of blood flowat the right direction (downstream) and the arterial pressure and flowwill increases.

Reference is now made to the FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawingsillustrating blood flow booster in accordance with another preferredembodiment of the present invention.

A blood flow booster pressure applying device 90 comprises an inflatableballoon 20 comprises an inflatable balloon with two or more inflatablecompartments (43, 47) (It is understood and asserted that any othertypes of pressure applying devices may alternatively be used), placedalongside artery 40, and a restrainer envelope 54 mounted as a sleevearound both the inflatable balloon 44 and the artery 40.

The inflatable balloon 44 is connected via pipe 46, which may preferablybe metallic coated (in order to be able to convey ECG signals to thecontrol console, to a hydraulic or a pneumatic pressure generator(preferably a pneumatic pressure as it has a relatively fast responsetime and power dissipation in terms of heat is relatively small),located within the control console 60 (placed outside the patient's bodyor inside it, in case of an implant).

The inflatable balloon 44 consists of an occluding balloon 43 forproviding occlusion to possible backflow of the blood during operationof the pressure applying device, and of a longer pressure applyingballoon 47. The two compartments may be fluidly communicating betweeneach other or independently operated. The occluding balloon 43 is placedupstream with respect to the pressure applying balloon 47. The ballooncompartments are inflatable via pipe 46. In the embodiment shown in FIG.4 a portion of the pipe 46, surrounded by the occluding balloon,consists of several vents 45 located within the occluding ballooncompartment. Thus, upon inflation, the occluding balloon 43, inflatesfirst compressing the adjacent artery portion, and then the pressureapplying balloon inflates to force blood found in the portion of theartery which is adjacent the pressure applying balloon downstream.

The blood flow booster pressure-applying device 90 is implanted on anarterial segment, preferably implanted upstream, near an occludinglesion 41 found within the blood vessel

Upon activation of the blood flow booster, the hydraulic or pneumaticpressure generator, preferably the pneumatic pressure generator,supplies inert gas, preferably Helium, to the inflatable balloon throughthe vents of the pipe (45 in FIG. 1, 23 in FIG. 4), thus the balloon isinflated.

A sheath 200 covering the balloon (51 in FIG. 6) can be placed betweenthe blood vessel and the balloon. It will secure the balloon in placeand provide an efficient facilitator for balloon replacement. The sheathseparates the balloon from the tissue and connects it directly with theextracorporeal space. The end of the sheath may protrude from thepatient's skin 202 or it may lie below the skin. The provision of asheath allows separation of the balloon from the blood vessel and allowssafe and fast way of exchanging the balloon when so desired. The end ofthe sheath may be left outside the skin (as shown in FIG. 6) or belowit.

According to the present invention, blood flow booster increases distalblood pressure and flow across an obstruction. Placing of the blood flowbooster outside of the blood vessel is advantageous, as it requires aminimally-invasive surgery with no thrombotic sequella anticipated. Theblood flow booster according to the present invention has a relativelysimple structure. It is relatively easy to use and it is relatively easyto remove and replace the balloon system (this may be carried out usingknown catheterization methods). The present invention provides analternative treatment to the conventional treatments whereby blood flowis assisted through the area of impedance; this has the potential ofsaving many limbs and lives.

The apparatus and method of the present invention may be implemented inCongestive Heart Failure (CHF) cases, where the pressure-applying deviceis placed around the descending Aorta in the chest. In this case thesize of the sleeve and the corresponding balloon will be matched to thediameter of the Aorta, which is larger than the Iliac artery. Thepresent booster may allow patients with CHF the use of a portable,extra-arterial heart assist device, which is not available yet.Typically the effective length of the pressure applying device iscorrelated to the diameter of the artery: the volume of blood to becompressed forward is represented by the formula V=πr²L, where r is theradius of the artery and L is the effective length of the pressureapplying device. The volume flow equals to VN/t, where t is the periodof the pulse and N is the number of pulses. These parameters affect theblood pressure distal to the occluded segment.

The following tables summarize results of experiments with the Boosterdevice, both IN VITRO on a synthetic model of a pressurized blood vesseland IN VIVO in experimental animals with constriction of an artery.

Experiments of the Peri-Arterial Blood Flow Booster (Values are Averagesof Series of Measurements) 1. Feasibility Study of Increasing Pressurein a Pressurized Closed Tube In Vitro:

Basic pressure Peak Pressure Difference from Percent Change (mmHg)(mmHg) Baseline (mmHg) (%) 50 73 23 46 60 108 48 80 85 175 90 105 100230 130 130

2. Efficacy of the Non-Return Valve Mechanism In Vitro Using VariousBalloon Volumes:

Peak Pressure Balloon Volume Peak Upstream Downstream Gradient (percent)Pressure (mmHg) Pressure (mmHg) (mmHg) 30 48 48 0 60 96 96 0 75 84 12036 100 48 204 156

3. In Vivo Boosting Experiments, Pressure Increase Distal to an ArterialConstriction:

Basic Systolic Distal Pressure Pressure Blood Pressure during boostingIncrease (mmHg) (mmHg) (mmHg) Intact artery 117 145 28 Constricted 75115 40 artery

4. In Vivo Boosting Experiments, Flow Increase Distal to an ArterialConstriction:

Flow during Flow Basic Flow Boosting Increase Percent (ml/min) (ml/min)(ml/min) Change (%) Intact artery 93 107 14 15 Constricted 39 60 21 53artery

In summary, these experiments show that the Booster device increasesblood pressure across a constriction up to 40 mm of Hg, and blood flowup to 53% from baseline. These increases are sufficient to improve thecondition of a patient.

The above description should not be construed as limitation on the scopeof the invention, but rather an exemplification thereof. Many othervariations are possible. For example a variety of control arrangementsare possible. One or more pressure sensors for sensing blood pressuremay be incorporated. Such sensors may be used to supply information tothe console, which controls the operation of the blood flow booster inaccordance with the arterial pressure.

The invention is expected to find applications in other clinical orveterinary conditions involving decrease of blood flow due toobstruction of blood vessels.

It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attachedFigures set forth in this specification serves only for a betterunderstanding of the invention, without limiting its scope as covered bythe following Claims or their equivalents

It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after readingthe present specification could make adjustments or amendments to theattached Figures and above described embodiments that would still becovered by the following Claims or their equivalents

1. A peri-arterial blood flow booster apparatus for improving blood pressure and flow, to be implanted around a blood vessel of a patient, the booster comprising: a pressure-applying device comprising at least one balloon placed alongside a portion of the blood vessel, and a restrainer for restraining the balloon and providing counter-forces; and a control console comprising: an inflating unit for rapidly inflating and deflating the balloon, the inflating unit being connected to the balloon; sensing means for sensing electrocardiograph signals of the patient; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the inflating unit in correlation with the electrocardiograph signals detected by the sensing means; whereby when the balloon is inflated the restrainer forces it to compress the portion of the blood vessel, preventing backflow and exerting forces on the blood vessel, forcing blood within the portion of the blood vessel to flow antegradely.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the restrainer is in the form of a sleeve.
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the balloon comprises at least two inflatable compartments.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least two inflatable compartments are independently inflatable.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing means is further provided for sensing blood pressure.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control console is implantable within the patient's body.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control console is small enough to be carried by the patient.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control console is adapted to be attached to a belt to be worn by the patient.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further provided with a sheath.
 12. A method for improving blood flow and pressure through an occluded blood vessel of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: providing a pressure-applying device comprising at least one balloon placed alongside a portion of the blood vessel, and a restrainer for restraining the balloon and providing counter-forces; providing a control console comprising: an inflating unit for rapidly inflating and deflating the balloon, the inflating unit being connected to the balloon; sensing means for sensing electrocardiograph signals of the patient; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the inflating unit correlating to the electrocardiograph signals detected by the sensing means; sensing the electrocardiograph signals of the patient; and inflating and deflating said at least one balloon at a predetermined rate, in correlation with the electrocardiograph signals, so as to prevent backflow and compress the portion of the blood vessel in order to force blood within said portion to advance antegradely.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the restrainer is in the form of a sleeve.
 14. (canceled)
 15. (canceled)
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the balloon comprises at least two inflatable compartments.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the two inflatable compartments are independently inflatable.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the sensing means is further provided for sensing blood pressure.
 19. The method of claim 12, further comprising implanting the control console within the patient's body.
 20. The method of claim 12, wherein the control console is small enough to be carried by the patient.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the control console is adapted to be attached to a belt to be worn by the patient.
 22. The method of claim 12, wherein the blood vessel is an artery.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the artery is an iliac artery.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein both of the patient's iliac arteries are treated.
 25. The method of claim 22, wherein the artery is in the Descending Aorta in the chest of the patient.
 26. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing a sheath covering the balloon, the sheath being placed between the blood vessel and the balloon to secure the balloon in place and provide an efficient facilitator for balloon replacement.
 27. (canceled)
 28. (canceled) 